Course Overview
This module is designed for health and social care professionals who want to deepen their understanding of ethics in UK healthcare practice. It offers a student-centred approach to exploring how ethical principles—such as autonomy, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and confidentiality—apply to real-world clinical decision-making. You’ll critically examine ethical frameworks, including those outlined by professional bodies such as the NMC, HCPC and reflect on how these guide communication, consent, safeguarding, and professional accountability. Through case-based learning, reflective practice, and collaborative discussion, you’ll develop the confidence to navigate ethically complex situations and apply ethical reasoning to your own professional context.
• Defining Ethics in Healthcare
• Navigating Ethical Dilemmas
• Applying the Principle-Based Approach
• Using Ethical Theories in Decision-Making
This is a work-based learning module. Students will undertake learning within their employed place of work. Academic supervision is provided at the request of the student – up to 50 minutes per month for the duration of the module. Action learning sets are offered as one 90 minute session per month.